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| Quito, my city... |
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| Falling in love in South America |
I think that the two major aspects that affected my living in Quito, Ecuador were simple, yet vital cosas (things): the people and the travel. Yes, I am aware that does not seem to be a shocking revelation, however, come along on this magic carpet ride with me. (Wait, what's the Latin American equivalent of a magic carpet? The Ecovía?)
The people. I can't even begin... (Don't cry... Don't cry... Don't cry...)
The travel.
I somehow managed on a teacher's salary in Latin America to explore a solid portion of Ecuador, as well as visit Colombia and Perú. I devoured countless bowls of ceviche in a hammock while staring at the endless beaches of Montañita, Ecuador on New Years Eve. I danced alongside the locals while drinking ice cold beer and wearing a feathery mask during the Carnaval parade in Barranquilla, Colombia. I celebrated my 28th birthday with six lovely ladies, barefoot in the sand and drink in hand in Mompiche, Ecuador. I finally manifested the tattoo I have been wanting for the better part of a decade, with the assistance of an Argentinian artist and an open mind. Most recently, I trekked the 54 hours by bus down to Cuzco, Perú and conquered a four day jungle trek and watched the sun rise from the highest point in Machu Picchu. I love my life.
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| New tattoo |
I Miss...
The views
$2 lunches
Escaping into the language
People who made it special
Mountains
Green environment
Street art
Salsa dancing
Sense of adventure
Absolute freedom
I Don't Miss...
Gringo tax
Stares
Pollution
Lying taxistas
Everything closed at night
Sundays
Public urination
Whining
Shit DVDs
Kids that stare while I eat
Electric showers
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| La Basilica, Quito, Ecuador |
After a rough start at the Quito airport, I sunk down into my 22B seat and painted a small smile on my face as i bid the elderly woman in 22A "buenos dias". After a half dozen uniformed workers slowly paced the aisle, counting and recounting us while they eyeballed our every move, we finally took off. I took advantage of the missing Sra. Gracia in 22C and slid over into the aisle seat. My complete lack of sleep from the night before charmed me into the previously denied slumber I had attempted in the airport and I was only awoken by my own shivering. Seriously, I couldn't be that bad, could it? I assure you, faithful reader, it was. Even 22C had shifted to my 22B and explained in very proper Spanish that it was just too damn cold on her side. I helped her adjust her air just in time for a hot breakfast to come sweeping across my tray table and my insides to be warmed with some half-decent coffee. Then, it hits me: BOOM. I'm gone.
Cue waterworks.
I had cried when I received an overwhelming goodbye from some locals and bar regulars the night we left for Perú; I felt so blessed to have a group consisting of Ecuadorian youth and retired Kiwis hugging and kissing me goodbye with such zeal. I also cried when I my friend and boss, Kevin- a handsome Irishman who owns a Vietnamese restaurant in Ecuador- told me I'd become his little sister and we would soon see each other again in this great world of ours. I cried when I said goodbye to Jason- acquaintance turned friend turned can't imagine my life without him- at the airport, knowing I'd be back but still aching. However, these tears were different: they were not tears of exhaustion, longing, fear, sorrow, or disappointment. These years were that of realization. I had made a LIFE and it was a damn good one. I was not ready to leave this place, but I knew it was time.
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| Montañita, Ecuador - NYE 2011 |
"Milk and sugar, please..." I answered the blonde haired, blue eyed flight attendant in English. The English words left a strange taste in my mouth. I had grown accustomed to the way "leche y azúcar" rolled around my head and my tongue. I took a bite of fruit from my tray: melón. No more batidos at breakfast made from whatever fresh fruit they decide you want to drink. I sipped my coffee: café. No more instant craptacular coffee shoveled into cups with endless sugar to mask the taste. (Note: Ecuador and it's surrounding sisters grow and export incredible coffee, but try profit margin is too large to serve it at most restaurants. Only higher end businesses and restaurants maintain a natural coffee bean based brew.) Maybe that's not such a bad change...
The kicker was thinking about my mom and the look on her face when I walk through that door. Even writing those words brought the stinging sensation to my baby blues and flushed my face. She's done so much for me over the years, I can give her this one little gift of coming home early and doing "our things" together: Watching "So You Think You Can Dance" wine in hand every week, shopping for nothing in particular followed up by Mexican food on a patio somewhere, Sunday coffee and Bailey's while snuggling with our cocker spaniels Captain Morgan and Jack Daniels. (Yep, you read that right.)
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| 28th Birthday, Mompiche, Ecuador |
Call it 'Reverse Culture Shock' or call it readjusting... I will no longer be deprived of the things I had once been accustomed to. I am no longer accustomed to those things, and so having them will be strange. Speaking English and being clearly understood everywhere, having hot running water regularly, being able to flush toilet paper, stores and restaurants being open passed dark and on Sundays, and not fearing for my safety for every second. Seriously. I summed it up about four months ago by saying, "In the states, I can walk outside my door without looking both ways first, at night, barefoot, with a beer in one hand and my iPhone in the other and sit on my grass alone without a care in the world. In Ecuador, you don't even say the word 'iPhone' without worrying someone is going to hold you up for it." Thinking about my parents' home it seems like a luxury hotel. I have stayed in some nice places while living in Quito, but having a dryer downstairs and no bars on the windows is incredible. Having grass to share with the neighborhood kids is a gift straight from Heaven.
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| Cartagena, Colombia - Carnaval 2012 |
Please do not mistake Quito for South Central Los Angeles, for its beauty is ever challenging my creative eye and it's culture kept me afloat without boredom for over half a year. I once wrote of my love for Quito, it's dichotomy only matched by what it taught me, and I am already planning my return. It is just so very different from the 27 years I spent living and traveling this world of ours.
I know my tears have been tears of love.
Love for Quito.
Love for Ecuador.
Love for the lessons I learned.
Love for the places I have seen.
Love for the person I have become.
Love for the person I was when I landed there.
Love for knowing love.
Love for the people I have met.
The people.
Rachel and her remarkable wisdom for her age, her many faces we all adore, her insightful outlook, and her undeniable inner and outer beauty.
Kevin and his undying charm, infinite kindness, street and common smarts, and the fact that he without a doubt saved me.
Jason and his brilliant wit, impossibly large heart, incredible positivity, ability to bring out the best in every single person he touches, and inspiring me to be a better person daily.
G Spot Nick and his huge smile, kind heart, never ending friendship, and remarkable ability to carve out a niche in your heart and stay there forever. (G Spot is his restaurant, for those who were wondering...)
Ian and his undeniable warmth, endless support, never failing sense of humor, optimism beyond naivety, and desire to grow: none of which are over shadowed by his ridiculously poor taste in NFL teams.
Andrea and her love of teaching, ability to find joy when her friends are happy, free spirit, and lack of fear of the unknown.
Drew and his fantastic dichotomy, ability to cause me to think deeper and harder, unconditional support when I needed it most, and complete selflessness.
Katie and her deep love affair with cooking, contagious laugh, solid sense of hope, ability to laugh at herself, and ability to call it what it is.
Juan David and his endless love and devotion to his family, passion for music, his love of teaching and playing tennis, charming sense of humor, and his trust in God.
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| Puma Family - Machu Picchu - 2012 |
There are countless more; some for the blink of an eye, some who will never read this blog, and some who I will know for life. Even though there are words- and I thank you for indulging me this lengthy entry- I cannot manage to describe how fortunate I am to have been where I was, doing what I was doing, and who I was doing it with. I am grateful beyond my own comprehension. I am blessed beyond what I even remotely deserve. I hope without recourse that I can somehow give back to those who gave to me.
30,000 feet above the Gulf of Mexico, where I once wrote of French-Canadian women and Ecuadorian men, I wrote of a changed life and a changed person. I am a year older, an organ lighter, 2000 pictures heavier, more experienced, more aware, and all the happier. I stepped off of United Flight 1641 at LAX for the first time in 7 indescribable months and walked through my parents' front door to my mother's surprise. My sister, being my accomplice, agreed to Skype my mom in an effort to secure her location and consciousness for my late arrival. Her surprised face and endless hug was more than reward and everything I hoped it would be.
Don't worry, Quito, I will be back... Very soon.
Thank you to all of you who gave me a part of you.
Please know you will always have a part of me.
xx.a
So well said. Made me a bit moist in the eyes as well. Welcome home.
ReplyDeleteWhat a powerful life testimony. It reminds me that there is so much beauty in life if we can just look past the struggles that inevitably come our way. When we decide to step outside our comfort zone and dare to dream, dare to explore, and dare to get out there and meet new people, it is only then can we see the true splendor of this world. Though I may have not gone the places you have gone, I too have had some awesome adventures since moving away from Corona and embarking on my first journey as an adult. I moved to Catalina Island and lived on a sailboat for a year. That was only the beginning though. I am proud of you for becoming who you are today...a strong opened minded woman. I wish you the best in regards to the surgery and I hope for a speedy recovery. If you ever wonder if you have ever impacted anyone's life in a good way, let me give you my example:
ReplyDeleteMy Grandmother handed me the phone and said it was for me. I answered, and on the other line a voice asks what I was doing. She then tells me to look outside. I peek out my window to see a vehicle stopped in the middle of the road with the most beautiful woman standing outside. In one hand is a cellphone being held up to her ear, in the other hand is a home baked apple pie. Her mother is in the drivers seat looking up at the window as well with a big smile. I run downstairs to find that I had been brought a home baked apple pie....for no particular reason at all, just because she wanted to. Thank you. I will never forget that, nor will I ever forget you. You got a bright future ahead of you, and I know you will do great things. I am glad to have known you for the brief time that I did. You take care and stay awesome.
P.S. tell your dad he scared the hell out of me at the Angels game, haha!